BLUETOOTH LOW ENERGY

A COMPREHENSIVE TECHNOLOGY ANALYSIS AND ROLE IN INTERNET OF THINGS APPLICATIONS

Abstract

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) has emerged as a key enabling technology for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of BLE and analyzes its role in diverse IoT use cases. The BLE protocol architecture consisting of Controller and Host layers is optimized for short data bursts and low-power operation. PHY layer enhancements in Bluetooth 5 boost the range and speed over previous versions. BLE defines flexible network topologies like star, mesh, and beaconing suitable for different deployment scenarios. Performance trade-offs involved in parameters like throughput, latency, reliability, and node density are discussed. Built-in security mechanisms for encryption, authentication, and authorization make BLE suitable for data-sensitive applications. BLE adoption is accelerating across wearables, smart homes, retail, industrial automation, and healthcare. Future research directions are highlighted around ultra-low power, robust wireless connectivity, precise localization, end-to-end security, and semantic interoperability to address existing limitations. By enabling long battery life, ubiquitous connectivity, and built-in security for resource-constrained IoT devices, BLE represents a transformative communication technology for smart, pervasive computing environments. This paper provides insights into the capabilities, applications, and evolution of BLE for researchers and practitioners working on IoT systems.